Manufacture of tubes.



N0. 7ll,l80. Patented Uct. I4, I902.

w. 's. szvmoun. MANUFACTURE OF TUBES.

(Application filed July 17, 1900.)

IndaL 3 sheets-sheet I.

lg'rdsssss- W. S. SEYMOUR. MANUFACTU'BE YOF TUBES. (Appheatmn filed m17, 1900 Patented Oct. l4, I902.

(No Model.)

a sheets-shut 2.

m Wm --h/1 N E156 Eso. vuo'raumu, wasmmamu n c Patented Oct. l4, I902.

No. ,7||.,|sn. W. S. SEYMOUR. MANUFACTURE OF TUBES.

(Applicaflon filed July 17, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

i H W w H N w H w H a ,v iiiFmiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiifimw "V////////////////A"*&

M/ITNE-SSES- N N :INVENTOR We,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM S. SEYMOUR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MANUFACTURE OF TUBES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 71 1,180, dated October14, 1902.

Application filed July 17, 1900.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LWILL'IAM S. SEYMOUR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia,county of Phi1adelphia,State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in the Manufacture ofTubes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in themanufacture of sheet-' metal tubes, and particularly to the productionof tubes of relatively small diameter from sheet metal-as, forinstance,umbrella-sticks and the like-wherein it is desirable to combineconsiderable strength and rigidity in the resultant product.

In the practice of my invention I first produce from a flat blank orstrip of metal a preliminary structure consisting of said blank, havingone of its edges rolled into the form of a cylinder of an internaldiameter approximating that of the finished stick or tube. A machine forproducing this preliminary structure forms the subject-matter of mycopending application, filed March 11, 1901, Serial No. 50,684. Ithereupon introduce this cylindrical edge portion of the blank into thepass of a two-high rolling-mill, wherein,while subjecting the blank to agraduated pressure, it is rolled into the finished form. The rolls ofthe mill are geared to rotate in the same direction, so that when theblank is introduced between them their working surfaces act in oppositedirections thereon, with the resultant effect not only of promptlywinding the flat portion of the blank upon the cylindrical edge portion,but also of spinning the sheet metal, so that the number of turns orconvolutions of the finished article will be correspondingly increased,thereby adding to its inherent strength and stability. During therolling operation I insert a mandrel within the tube, so as to opposethe necessary resistance to the crushing action of the rolls.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in end elevation aviewof my present invention, comprising a two-high rollingmill forcompleting the formation of the tube or stick- Fig. 2 represents asectional eleva- Serial No. 23,928. (No model.)

. tion thereof on aplane indicated by the line 9 9 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3represents a sectional plan view taken on a plane indicated by the 'line'101O of Fig. 4:. Figs.3, 8", 3 indicate various steps in the formationof the finished article. Fig. 3 represents in perspective the finishedarticle. Fig. 3 represents a preliminary blank structure formed in theapparatus shown in the drawings and with the mandrelin place. Fig. 4represents asectional elevation on line l1 ll of Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 4*represent, respectively, sectional views taken at right angles to eachother of the adjustable housing for the upper roll. Similar letters ofreferenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views.

The preliminary structure is formed from a flat blank or strip of metalhaving one of its edges rolled into the form of a cylinder of aninternaLdi-ameter approximating that of the finished stick or tube. Thisrolled edge, constitutes the base or foundation upon which theadditional con volutions are formed by the machine for completing thetube.

Referring to the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, themachine for completing the tube from the partiallyformed blank derivesits motion from a'pulley-wheel K, whose power-shaft O is provided with apinion L, intermeshing with a gear L, fixed upon the shaft of the rollM. In like man- 'ner a pinion L upon the power-shaft O intermeshes witha gear L upon the roll N. It will be noted that, as indicated by thearrows, the rolls M N rotate in the same direction, so that theirworking surfaces are adapted to act in opposite directions upon anyblank subjected to them. The upper roll N is located in sliding bearingsct, guided in the framework P of the machine. The sliding bearings areceive the screw-bolts b',which pass loosely through the thimbles c,which rest in appropriate recesses in the cross-saddles P of the frameP, and by means of nuts, as shown, the extent of downward movement ofthesliding bearings is accurately adjusted, so as to determine the heightof the normal pass between the two rolls. The sliding bearings a,

and consequently the roll N, are weighted by means of pivoted arms orlevers Q, which rest upon the ends of the screws b and which bear attheir outer or free ends depending arms Q,

carrying adjustable weights Q which may be complete convolutions insteadof two and onevaried to obtain the desired pressure.

As shown more fully in Figs. 4 and 4 the thimbles c are slotted at d,and in these slots engage corresponding projections d of a rockshaft R,bearing an arm R, which is connected by an adjustable sleeve 8 to aneccentricrod f, carrying an antifriction-roller f and actuated by aneccentric f upon the shaft S. The purpose of this mechanism is to raisethe upper roll N, so-as to release the formed tube at the completion ofthe operation, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

At the rear of the pass between the rolls is located a fixed ledge orabutment g, adjustable, as shown, and which serves to prevent the tubeduring its formation from passing out between the rolls in consequenceof any slight difference in surface travel thereof. A correspondingabutment g is located in front of the roll-pass and likewise serves as asupport for the partially-formed blank, as shown in Figs. 3* and 3*. Theabutment or table g is mounted in bearings between the arms T, which arefixed upon a rock-shaft U and which bear the arms V, this organizationbeing provided with a counterbalance-weightW and being rocked by meansof cams or eccentrics h'upon the shaft S making contact with the arms V.The rocking table or abutment g rests upon spring-supports k, whoseforward ends project somewhat in advance of said table or abutment, asindicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The spring-supports k are fixed to acrosspiece Z, attached to the frame of the machine and locatedimmediately above a receptacle X for the finished tubes, whichreceptacle has a forwardly-extending lip making contact with theperiphery of the lower roll and serving to guide the finished tubes intothe receptacle when released from the roll-pass.

The parts of the apparatus being in the adjustment indicated in Figs. 1,2, 3 and 4, the rolls find themselves separated to form a pass of thedesired height to admit the folded front edge of thepreliminarily-formed blank. The said blank is accordingly placed uponthe table 9 by the operator in the position indicated in Fig. 3 a loosemandrel z being first inserted therein to prevent the tube from beingcrushed during the subsequent operation. The operator of the machinethereupon advances the table g and places the fold zof the blank withinthe pass of the rolls and againstthe abutment g. Thereupon the eccentricf 3 permits the full force of the weights Q to rest upon the upper rollN, thereby exerting a corresponding pressure upon the forming tube. Therevolution of the rolls M N thereupon winds the fiat portion of theblank upon the partially-formed cylindrical edge portion and under theinfluence of the pressure of the upper roll and the spinning action ofboth rolls simultaneously lengthens the blank, so that, for instance,the walls of the formed tube will be made up of, say, three half. Thisaction is accompanied with the development of more or less heat and hasan effect similar to case-hardening of the metal surfaces, largelyincreasing the rigidity and strength of the resultant product. At theformation of the tube in the manner described the eccentric f rocks therock-shaft r, so as to raise the upper roll N from contact with thetube. At the same time the table or abutment g recedes and permits theforward ends 70 of the springs 7a to rise and to come in contact withthe periphery of the roll N. Thereupon the released tube falls down theincline of the roll M into the receptacle X.

It is evident that the machine as above described is adapted to completethe formation of tubes having the preliminary form referred to inwhatever way that preliminary form may be produced; but I find itparticularly advantageous to employ in the preliminary manipulation ofthe blank the apparatus described and claimed in the division of thisapplication, Serial No. 50,684, hereinbefore referred to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isp I 1. In apparatusfor making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, a finishing-machine, providedwith two-high rolls, and gearing arranged to impart to said rollsarotation in the same direction whereby the material of the blank isspun in the direction of the convolutions of the tube; substantially asde the same direction, and abutments on opposite sides of the roll-passfor retaining the tube within the pass during the operation whereby thematerial of the blank is spun in the direction of the convolutions ofthe tube; substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, and abutments onopposite sides of the roll-pass for retaining the tube within the passduring the operation, one of said abutments constitutinga feed-table forthe blank; substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, and abutments onopposite sides of the rollpass for retaining the tube within the passduring the operation, one of said abutments constituting a feedtable forthe blank, and being mounted upon a swinging frame; substantially asdescribed.

5. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, and abutments onopposite sides of the roll-pass for retaining the tube within the passduring the operation, one of said abutments constituting afeed-table forthe blank, and being mounted upon a swinging frame, and cams for rockingsaid frame; substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, and abutments onopposite sides of the roll-pass for retaining the tube within the passduring the operation, one of said abutments constituting a feed-tablefor the blank, and being mounted upon a swinging frame, in combinationwith spring leaves or guides located beneath the table and projectingbeyond its forward edge, and a receiving-hopper having aforwardly-extending lip arranged below the spring; substantially asdescribed.

'7. In apparatus for making tubes from sheetmetal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing ar rangedto impart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, one of saidrolls being arranged in sliding bearings, so as to exert pressure uponthe forming tube, all so arranged that the blank is wound in successiveconvolutions upon itself and the material thereof is spun in thedirection of said convolutions; substantially as described.

8. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, and weightedlevers for adjustably increasing said pressure, all so arranged that theblank is wound in successive convolutions upon itself and the materialthereof is spun in the direction of said convolutions; substantially asdescribed.

9. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, one of said rollsbeingarranged to exert pressure upon the forming tube whereby thematerial of the blank is spun in the direction of the convolutious ofthe tube, a lifting-lever for said pressure-roll, and con nections foroperating the lever to lift the roll and release the tube at thetermination of forming operation substantially as described.

10. The apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, one of said rollsbeing arranged to exert pressure upon the forming tube, a lifting-leverfor said pressure-roll, and connections operating thelever to lift theroll and release the tube at the termination of the formingoperation,said connections consisting of an eccentric, an eccentric-rodand powershaft; substantially as described.

11. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, provided with two-high rolls, and gearing arranged toimpart to said rolls a rotation in the same direction, one of said rollsbeing arranged in sliding bearings, so as to exert pressure upon theforming tube, thimbles arranged in cross-saddles of the roll-housingsand supporting the sliding bearings, and a rock-shaft for raising thethimbles; substantially as described.

12. In apparatus for making tubes from sheet-metal blanks, afinishing-machine, pro-- WILLIAM s. SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

MILTON WOLF, JOHN LITTLE.

